The Top 8 Healthiest Fast Food Chains That Are Surprisingly Delicious

When you’re too tired to cook or need something to eat on the go, you don’t have to resort to eating a meal you’ll regret later. Fast food certainly isn’t synonymous with healthy food, but there are many options out there if you’re looking for something lower in calories or made with fresh ingredients. Next time you’re in the mood for something tasty, try a meal at one of these healthy fast food chains that are surprisingly delicious.

Chick-fil-A

Who can resist the delicious chicken from Chick-fil-A? Although the chicken nuggets and original Chick-fil-A sandwich aren’t exactly a healthy meal, Chick-fil-A does offer healthy options for their customers.

What to order

One of the best parts about Chick-fil-A is they offer a grilled chicken alternative for all their entrees. Instead of the original chicken sandwich or nuggets, you can choose grilled nuggets or a grilled chicken sandwich. They also have a healthy alternative to the fries with the kale crunch side or fruit cup.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread offers a variety of healthy options whether you’re looking for a salad, sandwich, or soup. With the You Pick Two option, you can customize your meal and opt for something a little healthier.

What to order

While some of the dressings at Panera Bread are high in calories, many of the salads are around 500 calories. Options like the Green Goddess Chicken Cobb Salad include mixed greens, grilled chicken, and their Green Goddess dressing. If the dressing on a salad is too many calories, you can always swap out the dressing or ask for it on the side.

Cava

Cava is a restaurant that offers a healthy, Mediterranean menu. They have options such as bowls and pitas that are filled with protein and different types of veggies. Cava was first founded in 2006 and there are now over 300 locations nationwide.

What to order

Although some of the bowls at Cava are high in calories, they’re filled with lots of delicious and healthy ingredients. One of the lower-calorie options is the Greek Salad, which has 585 calories and includes grilled chicken, tzatziki, hummus, feta, and a wide array of veggies.

Chipotle

Chipotle is a Mexican restaurant known for its fresh ingredients. One of the best things about Chipotle is your ability to customize your order, which means you can make it as healthy as you want.

What to order

If you’re looking for a healthy lunch or dinner from Chipotle, your best option is one of the salads or bowls. Not everything on the menu is healthy, but choosing options like brown rice and chicken can make your meal more nutritious. It’s also best to skip high-calorie toppings like sour cream and cheese.

Mod Pizza

While it may seem strange to think of a pizza place as healthy fast food, Mod Pizza isn’t like other pizza places. This restaurant offers personalized pizza and salads, all made with fresh ingredients.

What to order

When you order a meal from Mod Pizza, you can choose either a pizza or a salad, both with unlimited toppings. What makes Mod Pizza a healthier option is they offer alternative crust options, such as a gluten-friendly or cauliflower crust. You can also choose greens as your base instead of sauce to make it a lower-calorie meal.

Sweetgreen

Sweetgreen is a fast food restaurant that offers simple healthy salads and grain bowls. Their menu items are made with fresh ingredients and without seed oils so you can feel good about what you’re eating.

What to order

Some of the most popular choices at Sweetgreen are the Harvest Bowl, Kale Caesar, and Chicken Pesto Parm. There are also options like the Super Green Goddess, which is only 465 calories. This bowl includes shredded kale, spinach, cabbage, chickpeas, and other fresh ingredients.

Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company isn’t a new restaurant but as more Americans have started to look for healthy eating spots, Noodles & Company has grown to almost 500 locations. This restaurant offers a variety of noodles, soups, salads, and other meals with fresh ingredients.

What to order

At Noodles & Company, you can enjoy your favorite pasta dishes in a reasonable-sized portion. They offer delicious bowls catered to specific lifestyles such as their keto-friendly Zucchini Pesto with Grilled Chicken or their carb-conscious Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad.

Veggie Grill

Veggie Grill is a plant-based restaurant that offers organic fresh veggies, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and bowls. Their menu also includes delicious superfood smoothies and tasty desserts.

What to order

If you’re looking for a healthy fast food option, Veggie Grill is a great place to stop. Even if you don’t eat exclusively plant-based food, you’ll appreciate their variety of tasty menu items. Options like the Kimchi Steak Bowl include vegan steak, organic greens, and nutritious brown rice.

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